Morris Barton Thomte

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Morris Barton Thomte[/gn_heading] [frame src=”https://michelottisawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/tn_thomte.jpg” width=”” height=”” lightbox=”on” title=”Morris Barton Thomte” align=”left” ]

Morris Barton Thomte loved life for all of his 91 years. He was born the second of 7 children to George Thomte and Myrtle Barton Thomte on December 24, 1914 in Lisbon, North Dakota. He died of leukemia at his home at Mission Ridge on Sunday, March 5, 2006.

His early years were experienced as a son of the Great Depression, which, though sometimes painful, helped him become the strong hard worker he was. With no money, no jobs available, and no hope of attending college, he was given a needed break in the form of a $100 no-interest loan from his friend's mother to pay for his first semester of college at the University of North Dakota. He worked odd jobs through college, but to pay for his last year of college, he jumped onto a freight train like a hobo and headed to Washington to pick fruit. His memories of these early years have been chronicled in short vignettes he wrote, some of which are available on-line at the Western Heritage Center website.

An early pioneer in the social work profession, Morris graduated from the University of North Dakota and earned a Master's degree from the University of Chicago in Psychiatric Social Work. During World War II he served in the Army in California, counseling troops who were "shell shocked." His career took him to Greeley, CO, where he managed a psychiatric clinic; to Miles City, MT, where he was the Assistant Superintendent of the State Industrial School for Boys; and in 1957, to Billings, where he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs until his retirement in 1980. He drafted child welfare legislation and specialized in problems of juvenile delinquency and child neglect and abuse.

Morris met the love of his life, Charlotte Maloney after their graduation from UND. They were wed in Lisbon, ND on July 6, 1940. They were very happily married for 58 years. Upon retirement, he and Charlotte focused their energies on gardening and traveling between Billings and Mesa, AZ.

In 1982, with the help of friends, Morris and Charlotte designed and built a cabin on the Stillwater River. Morris enjoyed being at the river where he was always moving, either working on something in the house or yard or taking one of his walks of 2-3 miles a day, which he did for over 25 years. He amazed his family with his strength. At age 85, he charged up the mountain to Beehive Rock while his daughter and granddaughters struggled to keep up with him.

In 1998, shortly after moving to Mission Ridge, Charlotte died. Despite the deep loss he felt, he remained active, forming a wine tasting party, assisting in grief groups, and attending Sing-A-Long and church at Vista. He was a member of St. Paul's of the Stillwater and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. He was a dependable volunteer and enjoyed singing in the choir with his strong tenor-baritone voice.

Morris had many admirable qualities. He laughed freely and made friends easily. Even in adversity he was a true gentleman, always polite and amiable. He never said an unkind word about anyone.

Morris is survived by his three children, Jean (Thorm) Forseth of Billings, Barton (Marilyn) Thomte of Daly City CA, and Janet (Lyle) Graff of Sioux Falls, SD and Nye, MT; his 6 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Joyce Letrud of Ortonville, MN, and his brother, Gerald Thomte of Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings Aylis, Faye, Hubert and Russell.

Michelotti-Sawyers is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to St. Stephen's, St. Paul's, or Big Sky Hospice.